Great Plains Air Zone – About
Overview
Membership
Board of Directors
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The purpose of the airzone association is to collect and share air quality data and information for the geographically defined airshed zone, and to provide a regional forum for the discussion and management of air quality issues.
The Great Plains Air Zone (GPAZ) and its Board of Directors were established in the fall of 2013 as the third air management zone in Saskatchewan. GPAZ covers an area of approximately 40,000 square kilometers. The boundaries of the six Saskatchewan airsheds were established based on common history, meteorology, and funding considerations. Key economic activities in the region include agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas refining, mining, and transportation.
Photo: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
Canadian air zones, and their regional airshed associations, were created as a directive of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) under the Canada-wide Air Quality Management System (AQMS). The directive called for the creation of regional airshed associations, that would exist under the umbrella of provincial/territorial air management zones. It is the responsibility of provinces and territories to define and manage air zones within their boundaries. Air zone associations operate as independent, non-profit organizations. GPAZ is comprised of members from: utilities; the mining industry; the oil and gas industry; general industry; the federal and provincial governments; municipalities; associations and special interest groups; and the public.
Operations are funded through voluntary annual membership fees paid by GPAZ members. The board of GPAZ sets a budget each year in March to fund its operation. The budget is then funded by the members according to a formula which is based on the amount of certain pollutant emissions released by the member company as reported through the National Pollution Release Inventory (NPRI). The fees that municipalities pay are determined using populations size. Finally, companies that are registered on the NPRI but do not emit pollutants in the GPAZ funding formula have an option to become members by paying a base fee.
Overview
The Great Plains Air Zone (GPAZ) and its Board of Directors were established in the fall of 2013. The GPAZ is the third official air management zone in Saskatchewan, serving as an air monitoring partnership to benefit the citizens of the province. GPAZ was derived from the directive from the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) under the Canada-wide Air Quality Management System (AQMS). The directive stated that Canada will have regional airsheds comprised of local (Provincial/Territorial) Air Management Zones.
Air management zones use a regional approach to managing air quality. As per the Canada-wide AQMS, provinces and territories are responsible to define and manage air zones within their boundaries. The goal in all air zones will be to drive continuous improvements in air quality. Through the support of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, the GPAZ was formed in order to establish a continuous air monitoring network and create a fair and equitable fee structure for its members. Funding for the ongoing support of the air zone is achieved through its members.
An air zone association is intended to operate as an independent, collaborative non-profit organization of industry, government and other representatives for the purpose of collecting credible, continuous air quality data, and to communicate data and information to member organizations, the government, and the public. There are numerous benefits of participating in the air zone. Along with the positive impacts for the environment, the benefits of participation include:
- Providing a primary source for local air quality data and ensuring ease of access of that data through the internet.
- Providing a forum for discussion of air issues in the Great Plains Air Zone.
- Identifying and prioritizing air quality issues in the air zone.
- Cooperation and integration with other Saskatchewan air zones for the sharing of information.
- Communication and education directed to the public regarding air quality and impacts to the environment.
- Sharing operating costs through an equitable funding formula that supports sustainability of the air zone.
- Providing an opportunity to build relationships among stakeholders.
Membership
Our membership supports air quality monitoring
GPAZ members support air quality monitoring in the airshed and the provision of air quality information that is of interest to a diverse group of stakeholders in the region.
Our members come from a variety of disciplines and include representatives from various industries, multiple levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and the public. When you become a member of GPAZ, you will connect with other professionals and volunteers who want to ensure that the ambient air quality in the region is not harmful to human health and the environment.
Becoming a member enables you to engage and be active while you share your perspective.
Membership Benefits
You will receive a wide range of benefits, including:
- Access to GPAZ resources, research and studies
- Networking opportunities with other like-minded organizations and individuals
- Opportunity to vote or run for the Board of Directors
- The ability to influence the future of the organization and guide the direction of GPAZ
Become a Member
If you have any questions regarding membership or if you would like to become a member please email gpazdirector@gmail.com
2021 – 22 Member list
Click on the name of any organization to learn more about it.
- City of Regina
- City of Yorkton
- Consumers’ Co-operative Refineries Limited
- EVRAZ INC North America Canada
- Gibson Energy
- Grain Millers Canada
- LDC foods Yorkton Processing GP
- Lehigh Hansen Materials Ltd. (Inland)
- Lung Association of Saskatchewan
- Mosaic
- Saskatchewan Eco Network
- Saskatchewan Health Authority
- Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
- Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment
- Viterra
- Windsor Salt Ltd.
- Yara Belle Plaine Inc.
Board of Directors
Rick West – Manager, Environmental Affairs, Evraz North America (Chair)
Kendi Young – Environmental Affairs Supervisor, Co-Op Refinery Complex (Vice Chair)
Jim Elliott – Saskatchewan Eco Network (Secretary Treasurer)
Jennifer May – Saskatchewan Lung Association
Scott Dyck – HESQ Manager, Yara Belle Plaine Inc.
Tyler Kerr – Director of Engineering, Co-op Ethanol Complex
Vaughn Wlodarczyk – Senior Engineer, City of Regina
Pat Rediger – Executive Director Great Plains Air Zone
Brent Welder – Senior Manager, Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality, K+S Potash
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